To the Editor: Dr Psaty and colleagues1 compared the results of 2 meta-analyses, each of which
looked individually at the efficacy of either chlorthalidone or other low-dose
diuretics compared with placebo, not with each other. Based on small efficacy
differences, Psaty et al concluded that “major health outcomes for chlorthalidone
and other thiazide-like drugs appear to be similar.” We believe that
it is necessary to directly compare treatments to reach conclusions about
differences between them.